ย Memorandum of Understanding Aims to Increase the Scope of Cellular Connectivity inย Brazilย with Space-Based Cellular Broadband
MIDLAND, Texasโ(BUSINESS WIRE)โFeb. 8, 2023โย AST SpaceMobile, Inc.ย (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, today announced the signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding (โMoUโ) withย TIMย (BVFM: TIMS3), one of Brazilโs leading mobile network operators, with the aim of increasing the scope of cellular connectivity and bringing space-based coverage toย Brazil.
AST SpaceMobileโs solution is being designed to get mobile devices online where cell tower coverage does not exist and without modifications to usersโ cellular devices such as software, hardware, or expensive add-ons like satellite dishes.
โSpace-based cellular broadband is a part of our mission to eliminate connectivity gaps and bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected,โ saidย Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial Officer ofย AST SpaceMobile. โWeโre excited to be working with TIM towards connecting the unconnected in Brazilโs vast and diverse territory.โ
The MoU would also support testing of AST SpaceMobileโs space-based technologies by TIM for providing 4G data and voice services inย Brazil. TIMโs first technical tests and initial evaluation of AST SpaceMobileโs planned solution are expected to take place inย Brazilโsย North and Northeastern regions, aiming for the first half of 2023, subject to various factors, including obtaining regulatory approval.
โTIM, the only operator to serve all municipalities inย Brazilย with mobile coverage, reinforces its commitment to expand its coverage area and improve the quality of communication so that customers can enjoy data and voice services anywhere in the country. The MoU withย AST SpaceMobileย complements important ongoing initiatives to promote more digital inclusion, as it may help position TIM to take 4G to isolated areas, districts, villages, roads, resorts and tourist spots that are currently not served by other operators,โ saidย Marco Di Costanzo, Director ofย Network Developmentย at TIM Brazil.
Aboutย AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by todayโs five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. Watch this videoย for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.
About TIM
โEvolve together with courage, transforming technology into freedomโ is TIMโs purpose. The operator has the largest mobile coverage and 4G presence inย Brazilย and is leading the rollout of 5G in the country, in line with its leading attitude and signature: โImagine the possibilitiesโ. Committed to the best environmental, social and governance practices, it is part of important portfolios on theย Brazilian stock exchange, such as the Novo Mercado, S&P/B3 Brasil ESG and the Corporate Sustainability Index. It is listed in the Sustainability Yearbook 2022, which brings together the most sustainable companies in the world, and was the first operator to obtain ISO 37001 certification for combating bribery. It is also part of the Bloomberg Gender Equity Index and leads, among companies inย Brazilย and in the global telecom sector, the Refinitiv Diversity & Inclusion Index. For more information, visitย www.tim.com.br.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains โforward-looking statementsโ that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results ofย AST SpaceMobileย to differ materially from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words โbelieves,โ โestimates,โ โanticipates,โ โexpects,โ โintends,โ โplans,โ โmay,โ โwill,โ โwould,โ โpotential,โ โprojects,โ โpredicts,โ โcontinue,โ or โshould,โ or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside AST SpaceMobileโs control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobileโs strategies and future financial performance, including ASTโs future business plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile Service, anticipated timing and level of deployment of satellites, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability to finance its research and development activities, commercial partnership acquisition and retention, products and services, pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends, revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and ASTโs ability to invest in growth initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile service that would supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding; (iii) the ability ofย AST SpaceMobileย to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees and AST SpaceMobileโs responses to actions of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility thatย AST SpaceMobileย may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted againstย AST SpaceMobile; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Companyโs filings with theย SEC, including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobileโs Form 10-K filed with theย SECย onย March 31, 2022.
The planned testing of the BlueWalker 3 (โBW3โ) test satellite may not be completed due to a variety of factors, which could include loss of satellite connectivity, destruction of the satellite, or other communication failures, and even if completed as planned, the BW3 testing may indicate adjustments that are needed or modifications that must be made, any of which could result in additional costs, which could be material, and delays in commercializing our service. The production and launch of our BlueBird satellites may not be completed as currently contemplated due to a variety of factors, which could include results of BW3 testing, challenges in completing our assembly and production facility, launch difficulties, or supply chain shortages, any of which could result in additional costs or delays, which could be material. If there are delays or issues with our testing of BW3 or production and launch of BlueBird satellites, it may become more costly to raise capital, if we are able to do so at all.
AST SpaceMobileย cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive.ย AST SpaceMobileย cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors incorporated by reference into AST SpaceMobileโs Form 10-K filed with theย SECย onย March 31, 2022. ASTย SpaceMobileโs securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SECโs website atย www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law,ย AST SpaceMobileย disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investors:Scott Wisniewskiinvestors@ast-science.com
Media:Brandyn Bissingerpress@ast-science.com+1 866 845 6521
Source: AST SpaceMobile, Inc.ย